Author: Donna Welch

Dear Donna,

Can you possibly help to determine if any of these necklaces are real pearls? They belonged to my grandma and I inherited them. Not going to part with them. Just would like to know more information.

Katie

Dear Katie,

So nice to hear that you are keeping your grandmother’s necklaces. That’s how memories get passed down. From the photos you send I believe your necklaces are just costume. Remember back in the day costume jewelry was so popular and worn a lot.

Let’s give you some information to help you determine on your own first. Slowly look closely at all the stones. Or you can find an inconspicuous place on one of the stones. Use a needle to just scratch the surface, just a tiny spot so as to not cause damage. Katie, you will see a light coating over a white stone covered with a pearl-like film (artificially made). Most old pearl necklaces have a gold clasp (would be marked 10kt or 14kt usually) and always individually knotted off. All this for strength and to prevent losing pearls if broken.

Katie, even though I feel confident in my appraisal, it’s easy and doesn’t take much time for a jeweler to confirm. There are always exceptions. I hope this was helpful and I’m happy to help with your necklaces. I bet your grandmother would be happy to know you’re keeping them!

Dear Donna,

This bowl belonged to my mother’s mom. Inside was a paper saying ‘brilliant cut glass bowl.’ Also a brief story of how she got it passed down. I remember every holiday using it at the table for vegetables. Wondering what you might know about cut glass.

Earl

Dear Earl,

Your mom did a great thing by putting information in the bowl for you to have. Along with the memories you have, it’s nice to share even more with younger family members.

American brilliant cut glass bowls have a long interesting history. They’ve been around since the 1800s in several different patterns. I have never been in an estate that didn’t have an assortment of cut glass. It’s that sparkle that was loved. The sad part is today they are not so sought after, though there are always exceptions for harder to find pieces in mint condition or by specific makers. Finding pieces with no chips or flaking around the top is tough. Remember they were used and loved for many years.

The value of a bowl like this one would be in the range of $40 with no damage. To find chipping or flakes on your bowl, rub a cotton ball lightly across the top and raised edges along the pattern. It should not get stuck on any area. If it does you have some damage.

Dear Donna,

Could you give me some advice? I’m looking to market my Cape Cod bracelet. I have worn it since the 1980s. Now it’s time for a change.

Because I have worn it a lot it has some wear but no broken parts.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you, Donna.

Sylvia

Dear Sylvia,

Because these bracelets fall into the collectible category, I did some research for you. I wasn’t very familiar with them myself.

Original Cape Cod bracelets started in the 1960s in Dennis, Mass. They are very popular and collectible today as well. They have an interesting story to them if you research them.

Being made of sterling silver and 14kt gold, the bracelets are very hardy and made to last. From the research I did the original bracelets have a gold tag attached that has the name of the maker. I didn’t see one on yours.

I’m sure you know it’s an original but without a tag it could be tougher for resale.

Sylvia, if it’s an original the secondary market value is in the $100+ value. I hope you find a new home for it. The twisted ball is a plus.

Donna Welch has spent more than 35 years in the antiques and collectibles field, appraising and instructing. Her new location is an Antique Art Studio located in Dunbarton, NH where she is still buying and selling. If you have questions about an antique or collectible send a clear photo and information to Donna at [email protected], or call her at 391-6550.

Hello, Donna,

Can you provide any information on this black plastic pin? I have provided a few photos to try to help. Thank you in advance.

Jenny

Dear Jenny,

First I want to say thank you for all the pictures. Multiple views help always.

Your pin is from the Victorian Era. Used for mourning times. It is a cameo style (which means the center woman is raised, not recessed into it. That would be considered an intaglio.)

Even though it feels like plastic, it’s most likely Gutta Percha. That is made from a sap from special trees. Very common in that era.

Your pin looks to be in great condition for the age. Remember being a mourning pin it was mainly used just for that purpose back then. It’s a nice piece of history, Jenny.

The value on one like yours would be in the $100 range. Thanks for sharing with us.

Donna Welch has spent more than 35 years in the antiques and collectibles field, appraising and instructing. Her new location is an Antique Art Studio located in Dunbarton, NH where she is still buying and selling. If you have questions about an antique or collectible send a clear photo and information to Donna at [email protected], or call her at 391-6550.

Dear Donna,

I am looking for information on this Heywood Wakefield dresser. It’s got a stamp in the top drawer and on the back it says Champagne and a number. I have seen some with low prices and others very high in price. Wondering where mine would be.

Theo

Dear Theo,

Your mid-century (1950’s) Heywood Wakefield dresser appears to be in good, clean, original condition. The Heywood Wakefield Co. goes all the way back to the middle 1800s. It started off as just Wakefield and in the 1920s became The Heywood Wakefield Co. It has an interesting history. The word “Champagne” on the back relates to the color. The number would be the style.

You are right that values are all over the place. Most are in the high range and very collectible today. Condition and surface are important. Dressers would be very desirable in today’s decor.

As long as drawers are structural as well with the condition we can see, I would say the value would be in the $800+ range to a collector. Possibly even higher in another region. I hope this was helpful, Theo, and thanks for sharing with us. Note: If you have or find mid-century furniture try to leave it in the original finish and condition. Once refinished it doesn’t have the highest value.

Donna Welch has spent more than 35 years in the antiques and collectibles field, appraising and instructing. Her new location is an Antique Art Studio located in Dunbarton, NH where she is still buying and selling. If you have questions about an antique or collectible send a clear photo and information to Donna at [email protected], or call her at 391-6550.

Hello, Donna.

Can you shed some light on these paintbrushes? Possibly for stenciling. They belonged to a member of my family who was a painter. They seem to not have much wear.

Any information would be helpful. Thank you in advance, Donna.

Linda

Dear Linda,

Your brushes are actually not for painting. They are antique Shaker clothes brushes, made to dust off clothing and coats. They are from the early 1900s and a lot of them made it through to today.

Possibly your family member used them for a purpose related to dust removal in painting. Being made of horsehair, they could be easily used for many purposes.

Most are used today for decorative purposes. The value on them is in the $50 range each to collectors. Thank you for sharing, Linda.

Donna Welch has spent more than 35 years in the antiques and collectibles field, appraising and instructing. Her new location is an Antique Art Studio located in Dunbarton, NH where she is still buying and selling. If you have questions about an antique or collectible send a clear photo and information to Donna at [email protected], or call her at 391-6550.